Annual Report - Jefferson County Public Schools

From the Superintendent 

Louisville 

Education and 

Employment 

Partnership 

The Louisville Education and Employment Partnership 

(LEEP)—a collaborative effort among the Jefferson County 

Public Schools (JCPS) District, Louisville Metro Government, 

and Metro United Way—has been making important contributions 

to the lives of students since 1988. The Partnership 

has provided assistance to students to help them remain 

in school, graduate, and successfully transition from high 

school to employment, postsecondary education, or military 

service. For more than two decades, LEEP has made a 

difference. 

Throughout its history, LEEP concentrated much of its attention 

on preventing students from dropping out of high school. That was, and 

still is, a worthy goal. Yet, as the needs of society grew increasingly complex, we 

realized that we must extend LEEP’s reach toward another critical objective—that 

of college access. We asked the LEEP Career Planners to step up to this added 

responsibility, and they responded. For students who are struggling in school, the 

efforts of the LEEP Career Planners constitute critically important interventions that 

can truly change young people’s lives and help secure their future. By providing 

students with career exploration activities, job shadowing, skill development, teambuilding, 

and increased awareness of postsecondary opportunities, Career Planners 

open a window on the possibilities of the world beyond high school. The Career 

Planners are making a difference. 

We, as a community, also have a role to play. The former Mayor’s Education 

Roundtable has evolved into 55,000 Degrees—a public-private partnership that 

has resolved to meet the Greater Louisville Education Commitment to increase 

the local level of education attainment by a total of 15,000 associate’s degrees and 

40,000 bachelor’s degrees by the year 2020. The JCPS District, its LEEP partners, 

the local business community, and civic- and faith-based organizations must all join 

hands to address this larger goal. Working together, we—the community— 

must make a difference. 

We must devise and implement innovative ways to convince students of the value 

of a college education; educate families about the resources available for this 

purpose; provide students with the academic and interpersonal skills to transition 

successfully into a college setting; offer an ongoing support system that enables 

students to remain in college through the attainment of a degree or certification; 

and provide the high-wage jobs that will attract these graduates to live in Louisville, 

where they can contribute to the vitality of our community. 

These are not small tasks, yet I believe we will succeed. Moreover, I predict that 

the students who graduate from high school with the support of LEEP will one day 

stand before our community with their college degrees in hand—and they, too, 

will begin to make a difference. 

Sincerely, 

Sheldon H. Berman, Ed.D. 

Superintendent, Jefferson County Public Schools 

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2009-10 

Annual Report 

From the Mayor 

Friends, 

Two months ago during my inaugural address, I spoke about the critical impor- 

tance of education to our city. A city that values education, for its citizens of any 

age, creates strong lifelong learners and ultimately thrives in the new economy, 

where innovation and entrepreneurship are rewarded. 

Making sure our people are educated is a way to grow jobs and create compa- 

nies of the twenty-first century in Louisville. It is also a way to make sure our 

quality of life is exciting, vibrant, and creative. This is the reason I have agreed to 

lead 55,000 Degrees, the regional initiative that will work to increase education 

attainment. The goal is to produce 40,000 more bachelor’s degrees and 15,000 

associate’s degrees by 2020. 

As our community strives toward increasing college degree attainment, LEEP is 

there to play a key role in helping students succeed. For more than two decades— 

in a highly successful collaboration between city government, Metro United Way 

and JCPS—LEEP has worked to keep students in school and help them plan 

their next step after graduation. LEEP is the reason thousands of at-risk high 

school students have successfully graduated from high school and embarked on 

promising careers. 

Mentors are the key. By forging strong connections with struggling students, 

the LEEP Career Planners and corporate volunteer mentors provide extra guidance 

and transmit a sense of caring. Many of these students are the first in their 

families to contemplate going to college. The LEEP mentors are there to talk 

with students about going to college, work with them to apply for admission and 

scholarships, and encourage them to persevere until they get a degree. 

I look forward to once again having LEEP counselors partner with the city in our 

Close the Deal high schools—the Academy @ Shawnee and Valley Traditional, 

Fairdale, and Iroquois High Schools. With the help of Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) 

and the Higher Income Requires Education (HIRE) Forum, we brought in a team 

to execute a full-court press. The message was: Yes, you can go to college, 

and we will help with applications and the financial aid process. It was such a 

success that a greater number of seniors than ever before applied for and were 

accepted to college, the military, or further career training. 

LEEP and other initiatives to increase education attainment are an investment 

in our future—both for individuals to have a better life and for our community to 

have the skilled workforce it needs to succeed in a twenty-first-century economy. 

Helping young people reach their goals is of lasting benefit. It enables them 

to make meaningful contributions to their local communities and to their own 

families. 

Sincerely, 

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4 

Greg Fischer 

Mayor, Louisville Metro Government

More Than Two Decades Making a Difference! 

Louisville 

Education and 

Employment 

Partnership 

In 1988, the city of Louisville, the Jefferson County government, JCPS, and Metro 

United Way formed LEEP. These agencies created and implemented a job program 

that would encourage students to remain in school and to improve their academic 

performance. In return, students who graduated would receive opportunities for 

employment or continued education. 

In 1990, the Partnership added a mentoring component, which provided business 

mentors to LEEP students. The mentoring program exposes students to successful 

and positive role models and provides them with opportunities to network in the 

community. 

The Partnership continues to meet the needs of more than 1,000 

students each year. 

Over the years, the Partnership has begun to focus more directly 

on transitions to postsecondary educational pursuits. This focus 

reflects a close alignment with all of the partners’ goals to increase 

the number of college degrees held by the members of 

our local community. 

LEEP makes a difference by helping prepare me for 

life’s c hallenges and o bstacles to come. 

—Reginald Smith, Grade Eleven 

Fairdale High School 

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2009-10 


Mission 

Goals 

Goal 1 

The Partnership will have a graduation rate or a school status of 90 percent or better for students in 

still-ingrade 

twelve. 

2009-10 Graduation Rate—98 Percent 

Goal 2 

The Partnership will maintain a dropout rate of 4 

percent or less for participating students in grades 

nine through twelve. 

2009-10 Dropout Rate—2.8 Percent (regular schools) 

Goal 3 

Graduates will have an 80 percent or better transition rate to employment, 

postsecondary education/training, or the military. 

2009-10 Transition Rate—92.9 Percent 

LEEP has made a promise to all of its students to improve their chances of suc- 

cess in high school. This is accomplished by working with students to overcome 

obstacles, opening doors to new opportunities, teaching students to seek 

excellence, fostering students’ individual passion, and helping students learn to 

live their dreams. Successful navigation of the challenges in high school allows 

students to move to the next level, where there are new promises of success in 

college, work, and other pursuits. 

This is the work of the Partnership, and we won’t stop until all students are connected 

to their learning, their school community, and the world around them. 

PAGE 

6 

LEEP has made a difference in my life because they gave 

me the hope and desire to go to college. 

—Kiah Stephenson, Grade Twelve 

Doss High School

Career-Awareness and 

Career-Development Activities 

Louisville 

Education and 

Employment 

Partnership 

LEEP students had the doors of opportunity opened to them by participating in the 

following activities, which helped them attain their educational and occupational 

goals. 

College-Preparedness Skills 

• ACT-preparation workshops 

• College financial aid guidance from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance 

Authority (KHEAA)—also available to parents 

• College-testing preparation with workshops and classes 

• College tours 

• Individual counseling with Career Planners to meet educational and 

occupational goals 

• Kentuckiana College Access Center (KCAC)—also available to parents 

• Attendance and grade monitoring 

Job-Readiness Skills 

• Workshops 

— Career Assessment — How to Complete Applications 

— Career Fairs — Inter viewing Techniques 

— Dressing for Success — Successful Job Techniques 

• Guest speakers 

Job Shadowing 

• Career Planner/Business opportunities 

• Mentors 

• National Patient Account Services (NPAS) 

Twenty Seniors Project 

The Twenty Seniors Project was implemented as an experimental program in August 

2009 to try to increase the number of seniors applying for and being accepted to 

postsecondary educational institutions. 

Twenty seniors from five high schools were chosen from LEEP eligibility lists in addition 

to the Career Planners’ regular caseload. Special attention was given to those 

students who demonstrated academic success in high school but had no clear path 

to postsecondary educational pursuits. 

Using a JCPS computer-based application called the Angel Network, a group site 

was developed to assist these students with college and vocational access. A key 

feature was the ability to communicate important information and dates throughout 

the year on a timely basis to seniors. Access to the group site was extended to all 

LEEP seniors in December 2009. Of the 104 additional seniors who opted to be in 

the program, 94 transitioned to postsecondary educational environments. 

GE 100 Course 

GE 100 is an orientation course to the Kentucky Community and Technical College 

System (KCTCS) and to Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) specifically. 

This program is funded by a grant from the Kentucky College Access Network 

(KYCAN) and allows students to be enrolled as JCTC students and to complete a 

one-hour college-credit course online at their respective high schools. LEEP students 

are invited to participate in this course by their Career Planners. In 2009-10, 18 LEEP 

students successfully completed the course. 

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2009-10 


LEEP Data 

Mathematics GPA 

English GPA 

1.9 

2.0 

2.2 

2.4 2.5 

2.6 

LEEP Control Group District 


Attendance 

88.2% 88.3% 

91.7% 

Average Days Attended 

140.7 140.2 

149.2 



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8 

LEEP Transition Data 

Community College/ 

Technical School Transitions 

Students 

Bluegrass Community & Technical College ......3 

Bowling Green Technical College ......................4 

Brown Mackie College ......................................1 

Central Piedmont Community College..............1 

Empire Beauty School .......................................1 

Jefferson Community and Technical College ..183 

Joliet Junior College ..........................................1 

Paul Mitchell the School—Louisville .................3 

Rend Lake Junior College .................................1 

Spencerian College ...........................................1 

Walters State Junior College .............................1 

Subtotal: 200 (63.9%) 

Employment Transitions 

Deveroes .......................................................... 1 

Dollar General Store ......................................... 1 

J & J Pallet Corporation .................................... 1 

SUBWAY .......................................................... 1 

Subtotal: 4 (1.3%) 

Other Transitions 

Homemaker ...................................................... 2 


Military Service Transitions 

United States Air Force ..................................1 

United States Army ........................................1 

United States Marine Corps ...........................2 


Four-Year College/University Transitions 

Ancilla College ..........................................1 

Bellarmine University ........................1 

Campbellsville University ..................2 

Clark Atlanta University .....................1 

Dupage College .................................1 

Eastern Kentucky University ...........12 

Fisk University ...................................1 

Indiana University ..............................1 

Indiana University Southeast ............4 

Kansas State University ....................1 

Kaskaskia College ..............................1 

Kentucky State University .................5 

Lake Land College .............................2 

Lindsey Wilson College .....................2 

Marshall University ............................2 

Mid-Continent University ..................1 

Morehead State University ...............1 

Northern Kentucky University ...........3 

Pikeville College ................................2 

Shawnee State University .................1 

Spalding University ............................4 

St. Catharine College .........................2 

Sullivan University .............................4 

Tennesee State University ................2 

University of Kentucky ......................9 

University of Louisville ................... 26 

Western Kentucky University ..........11 

Subtotal: 103 (32.9%) 

Total: 313

Participating Schools 

Academy @ Shawnee 

Career Planner: Lisa Collier 

Partnership Enrollment: 55 

• Number of Graduates: 14 

• Transition: 

—5 to four-year college 

—3 to workplace 

Ballard High School 

Career Planner: Eric Kinslow 




—21 to two-year college 


—2 to technical/special schools 

Central High School MCA 

Career Planner: Patricia Davis 






Doss High School 

Career Planner: Travis Ziegler 







Career Planner: Inga Bush 







—1 to military service 

Fern Creek Traditional High School 

Career Planner: Barbara Grumblatt 







Iroquois High School 

Career Planner: Neva Hudson 






Jeffersontown High School 

Career Planner: Pamela Amshoff 






Liberty High School 

Career Planner: Kim Johnson 







—1 to workplace 

Moore Traditional School 

Career Planner: Karen Weathers 






Pleasure Ridge Park High School 

Career Planner: Jamie Baxter 






—1 to homemaker 

Seneca High School 

Career Planner: Robb Jarrell 







Southern High School 

Career Planner: Holly Dunn 







Valley Traditional High School 

Career Planner: Andrew Bailey 






Western MST Magnet High 

Career Planner: Anthony Dickerson 






Westport/South Park TAPP 

Project S.M.A.R.T. Coordinator: Jaye Bittner 






—1 to homemaker 

Louisville 

Education and 

Employment 

Partnership 

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2009-10 


Project S.M.A.R.T. 

Project S.M.A.R.T. (Science Math And the Right Technology) is located at both 

the Westport Teenage Parent Program (TAPP) and South Park TAPP. Project 

S.M.A.R.T. is a partnership among four JCPS programs: LEEP, TAPP, JCPSe- 

School, and the Computer Education Support (CES) Unit. 

Project S.M.A.R.T. challenges teenage mothers to continue their education after 

high school. They are encouraged to take math, science, and computer science 

courses that will enable them to gain the skills needed to pursue postsecondary 

education in highly skilled, nontraditional fields. The three major Project 

S.M.A.R.T. components are as follows: 

• Integration of technology into all math and science classrooms 

• Distance-learning opportunities to pursue math and science courses online 

for high school and/or college credit 

• School-to-work opportunities and mentorships that emphasize math-, science-, 

and technology-related fields to increase awareness of nontraditional 

career opportunities 

During the 2009-10 school year, Project S.M.A.R.T. completed its fifth year of 

operation and served more than 100 pregnant/parenting teens in both TAPP 

schools. Evaluation results demonstrated that the program had a positive impact 

on participants’ academic achievement in math, science, and technology; on 

their knowledge of math and science career opportunities; and on the likelihood 

that they would pursue postsecondary educational opportunities. 

Project PRISM 

Promoting Readiness In Science and Math 

(PRISM) 

Project PRISM is a JCPS District partnership among 

middle school Olmsted Academy South, LEEP, and 

the Computer Education Support (CES) Unit. Project 

PRISM is funded by a federal grant from the Women’s 

Educational Equity Act (WEEA) program of the 

U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation 

and Improvement. This funding for Project PRISM 

gives Olmsted Academy South the opportunity to 

provide additional support that addresses the academic 

and developmental needs of its students. 

The objectives of the program are: 

• To support student learning and increase students’ academic performance 

through increased availability of classroom technology, the integration of 

technology directly into the teaching of math and science, and increased use 

of online instructional resources. 

• To provide career guidance and activities that promote student learning and 

girls’ awareness of and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and 

Math (STEM) careers where women have been underrepresented. 

PAGE 

10 10

Career Planners 

Career Planners have a unique opportunity to influence the lives of students on 

a daily basis. Located in 17 high schools, Career Planners are able to recognize 

and focus on each student’s developmental needs and to nurture his or her 

strengths. Career Planners provide ongoing, positive reinforcement, which helps 

students develop confidence and academic success. Frequently, a Career Planner’s 

commitment goes well beyond his or her job description. Career Planners 

attend students’ athletic/extracurricular events, provide a strong shoulder to 

cry on, and help students navigate the often-confusing maze of adolescence. A 

Career Planner’s investment provides each student with a strong foundation for 

the future. 

Louisville 

Education and 

Employment 

Partnership 

Career Planners provide multiple services, including: 

• Providing positive communication between the school and home. 

• Regularly corresponding with parents/guardians in an effort to educate them 

about LEEP and the status of their child’s progress. 

• Building relationships with students by getting to know them as individuals. 

• Helping plan each student’s programs and curriculum. Career Planners provide 

a developmentally appropriate curriculum that meets the diverse needs 

of students, and they assist students with the transition to the next instructional 

level at the end of the school year. 

• Providing appropriate information about jobs and career opportunities. They 

counsel students in résumé writing, interviewing skills, and team problem 

solving, and they arrange visits to vocational training schools, area businesses, 

and colleges. Through job shadowing, students are exposed to skills that 

they need to develop in order to be successful in the workplace. 

• Arranging for students to meet a variety of positive role models. For example, 

guest speakers offer students the opportunity to ask questions and 

voice concerns in a secure setting on a variety of issues. 

From their Career Planner, students learn how to take charge of their lives. They 

learn communication and goal-setting skills, which often translate to individual 

success. Career Planners work with the school and the community to maximize 

each student’s unique strengths and skills and to help ensure his or her future 

success. 

Academy @ Shawnee ..............................................Lisa Collier 

Ballard High School ............................................... Eric Kinslow 

Central High School MCA .......................................... Pat Davis 

Doss High School ..................................................... Travis Ziegler 

Fairdale High School ................................................. Inga Bush 

Fern Creek Traditional High School ..............Barbara Grumblatt 

Iroquois High School ........................................... Neva Hudson 

Jeffersontown High School ................................Pam Amshoff 

Liberty High School ............................................. Kim Johnson 

Moore Traditional School ................................ Karen Weathers 

Pleasure Ridge Park High School ........................Jamie Baxter 

Seneca High School .............................................. Robb Jarrell 

Southern High School ............................................. Holly Dunn 

Valley Traditional High School ............................Andrew Bailey 

Western MST Magnet High School............Anthony Dickerson 

Westport TAPP and South Park TAPP 

Project S.M.A.R.T. Coordinator............................Jaye Bittner 

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2009-10 


Students of the Year 

Chasity Bishop 

Pleasure Ridge Park High School 

Chasity Bishop has been a LEEP student for all four years of high school, 

and she attributes much of her success to her Career Planner, Jamie Baxter. 

Growing up in a family with a single mother, Chasity has taken on a number 

of responsibilities that many other high school students do not have to shoul- 

der. At times, she missed a lot of school to help her mother take care of a 

younger sister who has a severe medical condition. During those times, Ms. 

Baxter helped her gather her missed assignments and organize her work. 

Chasity also credits LEEP with helping her with life, time-management, and 

communication skills. In addition, she has gained the confidence to join 

other organizations and believes that all of these skills will help her when 

she begins college next fall. Chasity plans on attending Indiana University Southeast 

(IUS), majoring in English and education, and becoming a teacher. 

Mechelle Artis 

Western MST Magnet High School 

Mechelle Artis’s high school years have been 

filled with obstacles that have challenged her 

coping skills, and she has proven that she can 

overcome any barriers to success. She has lived 

with foster parents and become a young mother 

herself. Despite her uphill struggles, Mechelle 

has become a success and a role model to her 

peers. 

Mechelle is a member of the UPS School-to- 

Work Program, and she is active in a variety 

of school activities. Her future plans include 

attending the University of Louisville (UofL) and majoring in nursing. Her 

Career Planner, Anthony Dickerson, has noted that she has always recognized 

the value of a good education. 

Making a Difference 

LEEP strives to help students ensure a successful future. Here are a couple of 

ways our students feel that LEEP has made a difference in their lives. 

I feel grateful to LEEP for giving me support, encouragement, and guidance for the 

past four years. Thank you, LEEP, for helping me find a career path. 

—Ashley Harris, Grade Twelve 

Moore Traditional School 

PAGE 

14 14 

The LEEP Program is beneficial in many ways. LEEP helps you understand the importance 

of education. Everyone in the LEEP Program is like a family. Everyone is caring, 

everyone is understanding, and everyone is always there for you. If you are looking for 

a sense of belonging, then LEEP is the program for you. 

—Desarea Thompson, Grade Twelve 

Ballard High School

ABC Scholarship 

At last year’s breakfast, LEEP announced the formation of a special scholarship 

to honor Mayor Jerry Abramson, Martin Bell, and Jane Charmoli for their 

groundbreaking efforts in the development of the Partnership and their tireless 

support of its mission. For more than 20 years, they remained committed to the 

original ideals and goals of the program. The ABC Scholarship will commemorate 

their work in perpetuity. 

Louisville 

Education and 

Employment 

Partnership 

The first annual award of this scholarship goes to the following student. 

Francesca Donayre 

Jeffersontown High School 

Francesca Isabella Donayre moved from the Philippines to the United 

States and enrolled at Jeffersontown High school 3 1/2 years ago. 

She states, “It was a big transition coming from another country, but 

it never stopped me from learning and excelling in my new school.” 

Her goal was to learn the language and enroll in non-English as a 

Second Language (ESL) classes. She achieved her goal and went 

on to distinguish herself as a scholar. She currently has 100 percent 

attendance and has carried a grade point average (GPA) of 3.63 

throughout her career in Advanced Placement (AP) classes. She 

has made the Honor Roll all four years. She scored Distinguished 

on her Kentucky Core Content Test (KCCT) and is a recipient of 

the University of Louisville (UofL) Yarmuth Book Award. She is a leader in the 

school and active in school organizations, including National Honor Society, 

Math Club, Beta Club, French Club, and Pep Club. She has held leadership positions 

throughout the school by being a class officer and an active member of the 

Principal’s Forum. 

Francesca also understands the importance of being engaged in community 

service. 

She has tutored at Tully Elementary for two years through the Jeffersontown 

Youth Services Center (YSC), earning more than 50 service hours. In her spare 

time, she tutors at local churches in math and helps weed the iris garden located 

on the grounds of Jeffersontown High School. 

We are convinced that Francesca’s dedication to academic accomplishments 

and extracurricular activities has led her on the path to be selected as the first 

recipient of the ABC Scholarship. Francesca, good luck on all of your future 

goals. 

Sincerely, 

Jerry Abramson, Martin Bell, and Jane Charmoli 

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2009-10 


Alumni of the Year 

Sherise Struggs 


Sherise Struggs participated in LEEP for two years in high school. She 

joined LEEP to become involved with a group or activity during the day 

because transportation was an issue for her at the time. Partnered with a 

mentor from Kindred Healthcare, Inc., she was able to participate in many 

activities individually and in groups. Sherise graduated in 2002 with a 3.2 

GPA, and after co-oping with JCPS for two years in the Communications 

Department, she joined the Adult Education staff in 2003. In 2009, she 

graduated from Brown Mackie College with an associate’s degree. She is 

planning to begin work on her bachelor’s degree in the near future. 

According to the two individuals who assisted in her nomination for this 

award, Sherise is always a pleasure to work with and exhibits a well-developed sense 

of teamwork with her coworkers and when serving her customers. Her work consistently 

rises to a professional level; it is of high quality and well organized. 

One Year Later 

Ayrionne Hudson 


Student of the Year 2010 

Ayrionne Hudson is meeting her goals and attending JCTC 

for her second semester. She is still interested in a career in 

nursing. 

Jah’Mareon Guy 

Seneca High School 


Jah’Mareon Guy is currently enrolled in his third semester at Eastern Ken- 

tucky University (EKU). He works in the Admissions Department of the 

university and is serving as a tour guide and orientation officer. At this time, 

he is still planning to major in education. 

PAGE 

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La’Krista Jones 

Westport TAPP 


La’Krista Jones is currently living in the Family Scholar 

House with her daughter and is attending Spalding 

University. She has become active in the community 

and is pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse.

Mentoring 

For 22 years, the Louisville community has built a foundation of positive development 

for LEEP students by nurturing, supporting, and volunteering in the mentoring 

program. By volunteering their time and expertise, mentors show a student that no 

matter how difficult things get at times, there is always someone there for him or 

her—someone who will listen and help put things into perspective. Mentoring plays 

a crucial role in showing students that strong relationships are 

essential for healthy, productive lives. Mentors identify and 

build on the strengths of students to create strong and lasting 

relationships. Students and mentors participate in a variety 

of activities, including important team-building exercises that 

teach students the importance of communication and working 

together to achieve a common goal. 

Louisville 

Education and 

Employment 

Partnership 

The Partnership would like to thank all of its business partners, 

past and present, whose employees have mentored LEEP 

students over the past years. These mentors have had an 

important, long-lasting effect on the students as a result of 

their one-on-one contact. They have invested time and effort 

in developing relationships that help students reduce risky behaviors 

and acquire the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to succeed in school 

and live positive lives. 

Over the last seven years, ResCare has worked with the Partnership students of 

Jeffersontown High School. For more information on ResCare’s involvement with 

LEEP’s mentoring program, see the “Businesses of the Year” section on page 17. 

The valuable relationships between the mentors and their mentees have provided 

students with skill-building opportunities and have exposed them to new ideas. 

Mentors provide the personal support and encouragement that are necessary for 

students to graduate from high school and move on to higher pursuits. 

All of us remember that special 

person in our life who guided 

us and changed us forever. We 

want to thank those mentors 

who make a difference in a 

student’s life. 

LEEP makes a difference by challenging and 

encouraging me to become successful. 

—Kortney Ashy, Grade Twelve 


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2009-10 


Mentors of the Year 

Tammy Braun 

ResCare, Inc 

In the words of Francesca Donayre, Tammy Braun’s mentee of four years, 

“[Tammy] taught me not to give up on things that I find very challenging 

and instead work hard to accomplish them.” Braun will watch as Frances- 

ca graduates this year and enters the world of postsecondary education. 

Braun has been a mentor on the ResCare team with Jeffersontown High 

School for many years, and she has worked diligently in the last couple of 

years not only with her mentee but also as a team activity planner and a 

recruiter for new mentors for the program. In both of these efforts, she 

has been very effective and contributed to the overall success of the 

ResCare mentoring team. 

Liz Sias-Shannon 


For 15 years, Liz Sias-Shannon has given direction 

and inspiration to the C.H.O.I.C.E. Sports Leadership 

Program at Fern Creek Traditional High School. Through 

her efforts, she has enhanced the lives of many young 

men, including LEEP students, and has created an 

environment where they can discuss school and personal 

issues and learn the skills they need to improve 

their situations in life. She has instilled these young 

men with leadership skills that enable them to mentor 

younger students. 

Several times a year, Sias-Shannon also provides opportunities for students to 

work with local elementary students and to counsel them. She has had an impact 

on many young lives and has become a valuable part of the educational experience 

at Fern Creek. In the words of her students, “She shows concern about our 

lives and helps with any problems,” “She is an outstanding individual who truly 

cares about her students,” and finally, “She gives us insight on how to fix [our 

problems] and congratulates us on our accomplishments.” 

PAGE 

18 18 

LEEP has helped me a lot of different ways. My GPA 

has risen since my freshman year. I am more mature 

and ready to start my life thanks to the LEEP program. 

—Ashly Jurasin, Grade Twelve 

Ballard High School

Businesses of the Year 

FASTSIGNS 

During the past year, FASTSIGNS has had an impact on 

the lives of LEEP students and many other Fern Creek 

Traditional High School students. FASTSIGNS employees 

have contributed many volunteer work hours to ensure the 

success of the semiannual Renaissance Academic Pep 

Rallies. FASTSIGNS has also donated sound equipment 

and advertising to school events and is a major contributor 

to Fern Creek Traditional’s radio station, WFHS. 

Louisville 

Education and 

Employment 

Partnership 

Sam Cilone 

KentuckianaWorks Youth Career Center 

WorkNow (Summer Youth Employment Program) 

For years, the KentuckianaWorks Youth Career Center (formerly know as Y.O.U. 

[Youth Opportunities Unlimited]) has worked diligently with LEEP staff to provide 

students and former students with career counseling and summer employment 

through its federal jobs programs. In addition, the center has assisted students 

with payments for college tuition and books, work readiness training, and job refer- 

ral and placement. The summer jobs 

programs have placed LEEP students 

in more than 15 businesses in the 

past two years. Without this pro- 

gram, our students may not have had 

the opportunity to gain valuable work 

experience and skills, not to mention 

the benefit of a summer paycheck. 

Left to Right: Terry Pulce, Lorena 

Lasky, and Arlene Fuller 

Business Person of the Year 

Janene Shakir 

Peace Education Program 

Janene Shakir is the coordinator of Community Programming for 

the Peace Education Program. Through outreach to youth, the program 

strives to reduce violence in schools and the community by 

teaching young people skills in conflict resolution, peer mediation, 

and prejudice reduction. A number of years ago, Shakir offered 

these services to Fairdale High School students, and the results 

were positive learning experiences and lifelong relationships. 

This year, workshops were offered to students twice a month. It is not unusual for 

Shakir to remain after a workshop to counsel and advise students one-on-one. In 

this way, she is able to preserve the confidentiality students need and help them 

work out difficult situations they may find themselves in. Through her work for 

the Peace Education Program, Shakir has become a valued asset to Fairdale High 

School LEEP students. 

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19 

PAGE

2009-10 


Support Persons of the Year 

Tammy Brown 


Tammy Brown is the records clerk at Fairdale High School, and through 

her office, she has rendered much assistance to the LEEP Career Plan- 

ner and, consequently, to LEEP students. She has always been willing 

to go above and beyond in her effort to assist with any needs that arise 

for LEEP students and always communicates these needs to the Career 

Planner. She is a member of the Attendance Committee, and through her 

involvement and guidance, valuable information is shared with other staff 

members who have a positive effect on the school life of students. LEEP 

is lucky to have her as its special ally in its work. 

Brian Miller 


Brian Miller is chairman of the Fern Creek Traditional High 

School Alumni Association. In this capacity, he directs the 

activities of an active organization that generously shares its 

resources with the school and its students in the form of 

scholarships and assistance to the library, Science Department, 

and Athletic Program, to mention a few. One of the 

funded activities was a team-building session at Jefferson 

Memorial Forest, which proved invaluable to LEEP students 

during a period of budget cutbacks. 

Miller has also assisted students with improving their ACT 

scores. All students, including LEEP students, were given the opportunity to roll in one of two formal ACT tutorial programs and to receive scholarships. Fern 

en- 

Creek students have benefited tremendously from Miller’s vision and generosity. 

His continued efforts and passion for helping students are commended and 

greatly appreciated. 

Jeremy Sharfe 

Doss High School 

Jeremy Sharfe is an Instructor III with the Jefferson County High 

School program located at Doss High School, and he has taken 

a special interest in LEEP students at Doss. He has helped them 

focus on such things as schoolwork, portfolio pieces, JCPSe- 

School, and playing a band instrument. He is honest with his 

approach to students, prodding them when necessary and laud- 

ing them when they merit it. He brightens students’ faces each 

and every day, and he does this of his own accord. Through 

his unselfish effort, Sharfe has become an important asset to 

Doss High School and its students. 

PAGE 

20 20 

Ms. Grumblatt motivates me to stay in school 

and graduate. 

—Breanna Hampton, Grade Ten 

Fern Creek Traditional High School

2009-10 Community Collaboration Partners 

Louisville 

Education and 

Employment 

Partnership 

100 Black Men 

Bates Memorial Phenomenal Women 

BB&T 

Black Achievers 

Blackacre State Nature Preserve 

Class Act Federal Credit Union 

E.ON U.S. 

Family Scholar House 

Greater Louisville Inc. 

Historically Black Colleges and 

Universities Showcase 

Humana Inc. 

Huntington Learning Center 

Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare 

Jostens, Inc. 

Kentuckiana College Access Center 

KentuckianaWorks YOUth Career Center 

Summer Jobs Program 

Kentucky Higher Education Assistance 

Authority 

KentuckyCAN! 

Kroger Co., The 

Louisville Free Public Library 

Louisville Metro Government 

Louisville Urban League 

Masterson’s Catering 

Metropolitan Sewer District 

Metro United Way 

Mountjoy Chilton Medley, LLP 

Muse & Morris, PLLC 

National Black MBA Association 

National Business and Professional Women 

National City Bank 

National Patient Account Services 

Neighborhood Place Northwest 

Office of Youth Development 

Omega Psi Phi, Men of Quality Initiative 

Peace Education Program 

Pleasure Ridge Park High Alumni Association 

PNC Bank 

Portland Museum 

Project One 

Project Women 

ResCare 

Southwest Family YMCA Day Care Center 

Sylvan Learning Center 

Transit Authority of River City 

United Parcel Service 

White Castle 

Women’s Education Equity Act 

Women of Wisdom 

Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP 

Youth Build 

Youth Opportunities Unlimited 

WorkNow Program 

Yum! Brands, Inc. 

LEEP makes a difference by helping us determine 

and plan out our future. 

—Champayne Fomby, Grade Twelve 


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21 

PAGE

2009-10 


Educational Institutions 

The Partnership works closely with educational institutions regionally and nationally 

to support the postsecondary objectives of LEEP students. 

Bellarmine University 

Berea College 

Campbellsville University 

Eastern Kentucky University 

Indiana University Southeast 

ITT Technical Institute 

Kansas State University—Salina 

Kentucky Community and Technical College System 

—Bluegrass Community & Technical College 

—Bowling Green Technical College 

—Jefferson Community and Technical College 

Kentucky State University 

Lindsey Wilson College 

Morehead State University 

Murray State University 

Northern Kentucky University 

Spalding University 

Spencerian College 

St. Catharine College 

Sullivan University 

University of Kentucky 

University of Louisville 

U.S. Department of Education (Women’s Education Equity Act) 

Western Kentucky University 

PAGE 

22 2 

My future is much clearer, and important decisions 

have been made with the help of my Career Planner. 

—Chiquita Lacy, Grade Twelve 

Southern High School

546 South First Street 

Ahrens Educational Resource Center 

Room 207 

Louisville, Kentucky 40202 

(502) 485-3787 

www.jcpsky.net/Programs/LEEP/index.html 

www.jcpsky.net 

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Offering Equal Educational Opportunities 

12014 LEEPannualRept 2-11rj

Annual Report - Jefferson County Public Schools

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